Jane C. OKeefe

Jane was born to Carl & Paula Hansen on June 1, 1925 in New York City and lived in various locales within NYC until 1994. Her father’s job as a Superintendent for Apartment Houses allowed Jane to live in many of the most idyllic neighbourhoods in Manhattan – but “in the back” as she would jokingly remember. From Sutton Place, to Gramercy Park to 5th Avenue, Jane’s childhood experiences were filled with stories of a NY upbringing.

Jane also had the unusual opportunity to spend most of her summer vacations onboard her parents’ yachts. As a Danish immigrant, Jane’s father Carl was a skilled carpenter. As such, he and Jane’s uncle purchased, for “a song”, retired PT boat hulls and lovingly restored them for their family enjoyment. By time Jane was in her 20’s her dad and uncle had refurbished 2 such boats, appropriately named “Jane the First” and “Jane the Second”, turning them into pleasure yachts that Jane and her family enjoyed for many summers in and around the New York harbour. These years of boating left an indelible impact on Jane, leaving her most happy & restful when close to the ocean.

Graduating from then Julia Richmond HS (Manhattan, NY) in 1943 Jane was the belle of many a “USO Dance” in the Central Park Band Shell during WWII. In 1947 she married a handsome ex-Marine, Howard Reed of Ozone Park, NY and settled in Flatbush, Brooklyn where they raised their 3 children; Bill, Chris and Ginny. Jane was a homemaker until Howard (a NYC Police Officer) passed away suddenly in 1969. With resilience and Scandavian determination, Jane resumed her secretarial career and joined Sullivan & Cromwell Law Firm as a legal secretary where she enjoyed stimulating assignments, great colleagues and met lifelong friends until her retirement in 1989.

Another unusual opportunity found its way into Jane’s life when she rekindled a family friendship with John OKeefe. Jane & Howard Reed met and befriended John & Kay OKeefe in 1947; both newlywed couples that lived in the same Brooklyn apartment house. As both families grew, each moved out to larger homes but stayed in touch as family friends do with children of similar ages. With Kay’s passing, John and Jane eventually found themselves as kindred spirits that were blessed to find love a second time and enjoyed a 17 yr second marriage until John’s death in 1990. As Jane would say, “I was blessed to find not one, but two wonderful husbands in one lifetime”.

In 1994 Jane relocated to Charlotte following her youngest daughter, Ginny and her family in their desire to move to the Queen City. A true urbanite, Charlotte was an adjustment for Jane, but she came to find a solid circle of friends during her years living in Raintree. Health issues challenged Jane in her last years including Macular Degeneration. Ever efficient, Jane resolved to stay independent for as long as possible leveraging the wonderful resources of Metrolina for the Blind (Charlotte), The Library for the Blind (Raleigh) and a carefully selected network of support to help her manage through her growing limitations.

Jane’s life, like many, has been a mosaic of sudden challenges and joyous moments. From these, Jane became the complex and interesting (sometimes challenging!) woman, mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, grandmother & great grandmother her family & friends came to know & love. Jane developed, nurtured and passed onto her family a passion for literature, arts & citizenship. Her passion for learning and love of political and social analysis made Jane memorable, delightful and enriching to everyone she loved and touched. She was a woman ahead of her time as an outspoken, strong woman eager to engage conversation, opinions & ideas. Ironically, she would be ever-worried about becoming dull. That, our dear Jane, was NEVER an issue!

Jane is survived by her 3 children, Bill Reed (wife Sandy) of Valrico, Fl, Chris Moran (husband Joe) of Southampton, PA and Ginny Coffey (husband Dennis) of Matthews, NC. Six grandchildren; Dan Reed, Adam Reed, Meghan (Moran) Montagna, Tom Moran, Brendan Coffey & Andrew Coffey.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent in Jane OKeefe’s name to Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204, www.hpccr.org.

We will miss you and treasure our memories made with you,

Love Jane’s Family